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Buying a used car (vectra maybe?)
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This is the auction I went to:
http://www.motorauctions.co.uk/
From that it just likes the main dealers send a job lot to the auctions, say everything over 5 years old, goes straight to auction. Personally, I cannot see them being bothered or having the time and storage, to invite the trade to pick and choose over the cars and then no doubt be offered below trade prices to take them away. It would probably be more cost effective to send the cars straight to auction, they will also more than likely have a good discount on auction fees if they are the auctions main supply of cars.
It did look like there was actually quite a few motor traders at the auction buying up stock too.0 -
This is the auction I went to:
http://www.motorauctions.co.uk/
From that it just likes the main dealers send a job lot to the auctions, say everything over 5 years old, goes straight to auction. Personally, I cannot see them being bothered or having the time and storage, to invite the trade to pick and choose over the cars and then no doubt be offered below trade prices to take them away. It would probably be more cost effective to send the cars straight to auction, they will also more than likely have a good discount on auction fees if they are the auctions main supply of cars.
It did look like there was actually quite a few motor traders at the auction buying up stock too.
It often doesn't work like that, the main dealer will group say 6 or 7 cars as a job lot, they then invite traders to give them a price on the job lot's, the winning trader will then take away the job lot, sort the wheat from the chaff ...the " chaff " goes to auction, the " wheat " is retailed.
The Main Dealer has got rid of them all without any auction fees.0 -
It often doesn't work like that, the main dealer will group say 6 or 7 cars as a job lot, they then invite traders to give them a price on the job lot's, the winning trader will then take away the job lot, sort the wheat from the chaff ...the " chaff " goes to auction, the " wheat " is retailed.
The Main Dealer has got rid of them all without any auction fees.
Yes I can see where you are coming from and can understand your point, I just don't think it happens at that particular auction I went too. I may be wrong though!
The main dealers all have big stickers on the car so you can see where the car has come from, so the trader hasn't had a chance to sort out what he does or doesn't want, if he has, the traders cars would be in the "other entries" section, which I steered clear of.
I got the impression there were a lot of used car traders at the auction, mainly because of the amount of cars they were bidding on, and also that they all seemed to have a torch looking at the engines and a car price guide sticking out of their back pockets, the select few even seemed to have proper cups for their tea (rather than polystyrene). :rotfl:0 -
It might not help you much, but if you're looking at Vectras have a look at an estate version.
The boot on these is HUGE, with the seats folded down it becomes HUGE+. Estates are not everyone's cup of tea I know, but I've run various ones for years.
The Vectra though is quite a high insurance group, and also getting high to tax but probably not at the years you are looking at. The most expensive fault I've had on mine was an engine management unit which was about £400. They are prone to damage due to the fact that they are mounted on the engine.
Also had to replace springs as mentioned.0 -
That is what my local auction has, the majority were cars from main dealerships, can remember arnold clark and toyota, just off the top of my head. There were quite a few others.
You can understand that Toyota, wouldn't want for example a load of Vauxhalls or Fords taking up their space, so ship them straight off to the auctions.
I can understand that some of the cars shouldn't be touched at auctions and it is risky, but I would say it is no more risky than getting a car from ebay or autotrader in a private sale.
I will be going to the auctions again, but this time I'll be a bit better prepared, get there early, have a torch to have a good look at the engine and a pen to make a few notes. Just basic stuff, but stuff I didn't do yesterday.
sadly incorrect with that point,auctions are far riskier as most cars over a certain age/value are sold as seen no rejection
at least with ebay.a/trader etc you have a chance to get a test drive,vehicle inspection, hpi,etcIMOJACAR
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hartcjhart wrote: »sadly incorrect with that point,auctions are far riskier as most cars over a certain age/value are sold as seen no rejection
at least with ebay.a/trader etc you have a chance to get a test drive,vehicle inspection, hpi,etc
You can do everything you have listed except test drive the car, when you buy it at auction (vs private sale).
The stock list is issued in advance of the auction so if you wanted to do any vehicle checks I presume you can.
At the auction you pay an indemnity fee which covers you for:
"Indemnity Rates
Please ask at your local branch for rates.
The indemnity cover is such that, if the vehicle purchased has been recorded on the VCAR Register, has been stolen or subject to an undisclosed hire purchase agreement and is to be repossessed, (and not declared at the time of the sale) the purchase price will be paid in full. The period of this cover will be one year from the date of purchase and will be limited to the purchase price of the vehicle, subject to all legal rights being transferred to the auctioneer. The indemnity fee is non-refundable to the purchaser."
So IMO, auction is just as risky as a private sale.0 -
hartcjhart wrote: »sadly incorrect with that point,auctions are far riskier as most cars over a certain age/value are sold as seen no rejection
at least with ebay.a/trader etc you have a chance to get a test drive,vehicle inspection, hpi,etc
Agreed, it seems that the OP doesn't really want to hear of any pitfalls of motor auctions, so best to let him find out for himself.0 -
Agreed, it seems that the OP doesn't really want to hear of any pitfalls of motor auctions, so best to let him find out for himself.
Where do you get that from?
I have read all of the posts on this thread with interest and have noted everything pointed out to me.
I have also looked into auctions a bit myself, so I am not making any ill informed remarks or comments on here.
I am fully aware of the risks involved, but I can see and judge for myself the difference between a post on what somebody thinks about auctions and a post where somebody has given good advice.0 -
But none of that helps if say the car jumps out of gear etc. etc.
It won't help if you buy a car in a private sale and it overheats after 10mins of driving and you only do a 5mins test drive.
Or the battery drains overnight.
Or the windows leak when it rains.
You can make up anything you want to suit your argument.
I am not saying there isn't a risk and never have, you are just being a bit pedantic.0
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